STOLEN BOOK

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 32, 8 February 1932, Page 3

STOLEN BOOK

RARE BARRIE EDITION

A SECRET JOURNAL

A copy of Sir James Barries secret autobiography of his early years—one of the rarest modern; books that has ever. ;been published—has been stolen (says the "Daily' Telegraph")..

Only about twenty copies of the book, which; is; entitled "The Greenwood Hat: Being a Memoir of James Anon," were printed,'' and it is understood that ;the Prime Minister, who is an intimate friend of Sir James Barrie,

received,one. *

'.The stolen -copy belongs tij Mr. Peter Davies, the well-known publisher, who is Sir James's. godson.. His offices in Henrietta street were burgled and the book- was taken., '

Unquestionably "The Greenwood Hat" is a great, library; rarity. 'Recipients of thei book: : have-been asked not to divulge its contents by the author, whose, strong dislike of publicity has become famous. ■•■■' . '

The demand for Barrie among, bibliophiles has been exceptionally strong ior Boine years, and this autobiography is easily the most-valuable of all possible bargains in that market. If the thief has read it, he can count himself a member of. a coterie as small as it' is distinguished. _ For many years now Barrio's inclination, as regards his more intimate writings, has been to print only for private circulation. , ■Indeed, it will corneas a surprise to mogt people that the author of "Peter Pan", has ever produced such a book. There would be no exaggeration in describing the volume stolen as the most valuable'first edition produced in modern times, in view of the remarkable circumstances of its production. WHEN CRIPPLED. j If any other human detail were needed to increase the, book's value, it is to be found in the manner in which it was penned. Crippled with neuritis; in his righthand, Barrie was inspired by the last word of Captain Scott's Antarctic diary —"courage"— to conquer his affliction. His autobiographical fragment was laboriously written out with his left hand." ■..,;■■■■ " ■■■-..•■■•; ■„-■■ ;-S.| ■ . ; - - - -The title of the volume'will puzzle many people. The explanation is understood to be a typical example of Sir James's: whimsical humour. The Greenwood' concerned is Frederick Greenwood, at one time editor of the "St. James Gazette." The . hat is a silk hat, which Barrie, then new to London, bought in order to impress the great Press Hon when he called upon him for the first time. Alas! When Greenwood was ready to receive his visitor an office boy relieved Barrie of the silk hat, and the impressive entry planned by Barrio was completely spoiled. _ Booksellers have.been warned of Mr. Davies's loss in the current issues of the publishing trade journals in case tho thief should try to dispose of the copy. There have been few occasions when burglars have taken valuable works of modern authors. A few months ago a report, from New -York-regarding an AnglorAmerican syndicate of book thieves aroused much interest among English book collectors and dealers. But on the whole experts woro sceptical as to the existence of an organisation systematically engaged in felonies of this kind.

Perhaps the most famous instance of theft of this typo was a valuable Chaucerian manuscript which was stolen from Lady Cardigan's residence after her death in 1915.

In due course it appeared openly in the catalogue of an international bookseller, who had acquired it in the course of his legitimate business. It passed from his hands to the library of a college in America. Ultimately legal steps wero instituted, and then -the work was restored to its rightful onrnezi,